Bag

ABSTRACT

A bag for storing and carrying a recreational water board or craft is disclosed. The bag comprises first and second cover structures and an internal barrier member. The first cover structure and the internal barrier member define a storage compartment for receiving a water board or water craft, and the second cover structure and the internal barrier member define a sleeping compartment for accommodating a person. Each of the first and second cover structures includes at least one closure device arranged to facilitate closing and opening of the respective storage and sleeping compartment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bag for storing and carrying a recreational water board or craft such as a surfboard, body board, stand up paddle board or kayak.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a bag of the type including an openable and closable padded storage compartment for receiving a water board or craft. Such a bag is used to store and/or transport a water board or craft and provide the water board or craft with a degree of protection from damage.

However, for people that choose to sleep at a location after use of a water board or craft, it is often difficult and cumbersome for the person to transport both the water board or craft and sleeping equipment to the location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bag comprising:

-   -   first and second cover structures; and     -   an internal barrier member;     -   the first cover structure and the internal barrier member         defining a storage compartment for receiving a water board or         craft, and the second cover structure and the internal barrier         member defining a sleeping compartment for accommodating a         person; and     -   each of the first and second cover structures including at least         one closure device arranged to facilitate closing and opening of         the respective water board or craft and sleeping compartments.

In one embodiment, the first cover structure comprises a first cover member and resilient material.

The internal barrier member may comprise resilient material.

In one embodiment, the resilient material comprises high density closed cell foam material.

In one embodiment, the second cover structure comprises a second cover member and a perforated cover member, the perforated cover member having apertures of sufficiently small size to allow air to pass through the apertures and prevent insects from passing through the perforated cover member.

Each of the second cover member and the perforated cover member may comprise a closure device arranged to facilitate separate opening and closing of the second cover member and the perforated cover member.

In one embodiment, the or each closure device comprises a zip closure device.

In one embodiment, the bag comprises a pillow disposed in the sleeping compartment. The pillow may be inflatable.

In one embodiment, the bag comprises at least one support member arranged to substantially support the second cover structure above a person when the person is disposed in the sleeping compartment.

In one embodiment, the sleeping compartment includes at least one pocket for receiving and holding a respective support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic upper view of a bag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic lower view of the bag shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the bag shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the bag shown in FIG. 1 with a first cover structure shown in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the bag shown in FIG. 2 with a second cover structure shown in an open position;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a bag in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, with a second cover structure of the bag shown in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a support structure of the bag shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the bag shown in FIG. 6 during use when a person is disposed in a sleeping enclosure of the bag; and

FIGS. 9 to 12 show diagrammatic views of a bag in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings, there is shown a bag 10 usable to transport and/or store a water board or craft, such as a surfboard, and also usable as a sleeping device for a person.

The bag 10 includes a storage compartment 12 for receiving a water board or craft, in this example a surfboard 30, and a sleeping compartment 14 for receiving a person and accommodating the person during sleeping. The storage and sleeping compartments are integral with the bag 10.

The storage compartment 12 is shown more particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4 and includes a first cover structure 16 that is openable and closable, in this example by providing the cover structure with one or more heavy duty corrosion resistant zip closure devices 15. However, it will be understood that any suitable device for facilitating selective opening and closing of the storage compartment 12 is envisaged.

The first cover structure 16 may be formed of any suitable material that is resistant to the weather and effects of the sun, for example reflective tarpaulin type or polyester fabric material.

The sleeping compartment 14 is shown more particularly in FIGS. 3 and 5 and includes a second cover structure 18 that is openable and closable, in this example by providing the cover structure with one or more zip closure devices 32, 34. However, it will be understood that any suitable device for facilitating selective opening and closing of the sleeping compartment 14 is envisaged.

In this example, the second cover structure 18 includes a external cover member 20 and a perforated cover member 22.

The second external cover member 20 may be formed of any suitable material that is resistant to the weather and effects of the sun, for example reflective tarpaulin type or polyester fabric material. The perforated cover member 22 may be any web structure of net like configuration that has perforations sufficiently small to allow air to pass through the web whilst preventing insects from passing through. In this way, the perforated cover member 22 serves as an insect barrier, and in particular a mosquito barrier.

Each of the external cover member 20 and the perforated cover member 22 has an associated closure device 32, 34 that facilitates selective opening and closing. In this example, each closure device is in the form of a heavy duty corrosion resistant zip closure device 32, 34.

It will be understood that by providing both a second external cover member 20 and a perforated cover member that are separately openable and closable, a user desiring to sleep in the bag 10 is able to selectively close only the perforated cover member, for example in relatively warm conditions, or to close the second external cover member, for example in relatively cold conditions.

In an embodiment, the second cover structure 18 is only partially openable, for example by providing zip closure devices that extend only half way along the bag.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the bag 10 also includes an internal barrier member 24 that with the first cover structure 16 defines the storage compartment 12, and with the second cover structure 18 defines the sleeping compartment 14.

In this example, a pillow 25 is disposed on the internal barrier member 24 in the sleeping compartment 14, and in this example the pillow 25 is inflatable through an aperture 40 by a user.

In order to provide a degree of protection for a water board or craft during storage and/or transportation, the bag 10 includes suitable protective material that is disposed around the water board or craft when the water board or craft is disposed in the storage compartment 12. In this example, this is achieved by providing the internal barrier member 24 and the first cover structure 16 with suitable padding material, for example of suitably thick and/or resilient configuration sufficient to provide the water board or craft with a degree of protection against damage. In some embodiments, the padding material includes high density closed cell foam material.

It will be understood that the padding material also serves to provide a mattress like base for a person when the person is disposed in the sleeping compartment 14 and the bag is used as a sleeping device.

In an embodiment, the internal barrier member 24, the first cover structure 16 and/or the second cover 18 structure may be at least partially inflatable so as to increase comfort for a person during sleeping.

It will also be understood that the sleeping compartment may be arranged so that sleeping components are removable from the sleeping compartment 14. For example, the sleeping compartment may comprise a sleeping bag like sleeping component that is removable from the sleeping compartment 14, and the pillow 25 may also be removable from the sleeping compartment 14.

An alternative embodiment of a bag 41 is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. Like and similar features are indicated with like reference numerals.

The bag 41 has a similar configuration to the bag shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 in that separate storage and sleeping compartments are integrally defined. However, the bag 41 also includes at least one support member 42, each of which is insertable into a respective pocket 44 formed in a side region 46 of the sleeping compartment. The support members 42 serve to space the second cover structure 18 from a person 48 during use and thereby increase sleeping comfort for the person.

In an alternative variation, the support members may be permanently fixed to the bag.

In the present embodiments, the bag 10, 41 also includes a defined crease 50 formed in side regions 46 of the sleeping compartment in order to encourage the sleeping compartment to collapse in a defined way when not in use. The bag 10, 41 may include one or more closure devices arranged to secure the sleeping compartment in a collapsed configuration, for example by providing zip closure devices 51, hook and eye type fasteners, or buttons adjacent the defined crease 50.

It will be understood that the bag may also include other compartments (not shown) of suitable size for storing and/or transporting other items such as fins, wax or any other item.

The bag may also include a sleeping enclosure disposed in the sleeping compartment, for example formed of bedding-type material, so as to further increase sleeping comfort for a user.

The bag may also include an internally disposed audio player docking device and speaker arrangement so that a user is able to connect an audio device such as a mp3 player to the audio player.

In the present examples, the bag further includes a carrying handle or strap 52. The carrying strap 52 may be disconnectable and configured so that it may be used to secure the bag to a vehicle, such as a roof rack of a vehicle.

It will be appreciated that the bag may include artwork and/or images, for example on outwardly facing surfaces of the bag.

It will also be appreciated that while the above embodiments are described in relation to a bag that includes integrally formed storage and sleeping compartments, it will be understood that other arrangements are possible. In one arrangement, the bag may be configured so that the storage and sleeping compartments are connectable and disconnectable from each other, for example by providing one or more suitable zip devices.

It will also be appreciated that providing separate sleeping and storage compartments ensures that a user is provided with a sleeping compartment that is maintained relatively clean and free from debris such as dirt and wax that may be collected over time from a surfboard.

While the above embodiments are described in relation to a bag for storing and carrying a surfboard, it will be understood that other water board devices and/or water crafts are envisaged, such as stand up paddle boards, body boards, or kayaks.

A further alternative embodiment of a bag 70 for storing and carrying a recreational water board or craft, in this example a body board, is shown in FIGS. 9 to 12.

The bag 70 in this example is of backpack type and includes straps 72 usable to facilitate carrying the bag 70 when the bag is in a closed configuration, as shown in FIGS. 9 a and 10 a.

The bag 70 includes a first closure device 74, in this example a first zip closure device, that when opened enables a body board (not shown) to be removed from a storage compartment 76.

The bag 70 also includes a second closure device 78, in this example a second zip closure device, that defines an opening of a sleeping compartment 80.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A bag comprising: first and second cover structures; and an internal barrier member; the first cover structure and the internal barrier member defining a storage compartment for receiving a water board or water craft, and the second cover structure and the internal barrier member defining a sleeping compartment for accommodating a person; and each of the first and second cover structures including at least one closure device arranged to facilitate closing and opening of the respective storage and sleeping compartments.
 2. A bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover structure comprises a first cover member and resilient material.
 3. A bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal barrier member comprises resilient material.
 4. A bag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the resilient material comprises high density closed cell foam material.
 5. A bag as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second cover structure comprises a second cover member and a perforated cover member, the perforated cover member having apertures of sufficiently small size to allow air to pass through the apertures and prevent insects from passing through the perforated cover member.
 6. A bag as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the second cover member and the perforated cover member comprises a closure device arranged to facilitate separate opening and closing of the second cover and the perforated cover member.
 7. A bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each closure device comprises a zip closure device.
 8. A bag as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pillow disposed in the sleeping compartment.
 9. A bag as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pillow is inflatable.
 10. A bag as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one support member arranged to substantially support the second cover structure above a person when the person is disposed in the sleeping compartment.
 11. A bag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sleeping compartment includes at least one pocket for receiving and holding a respective support member.
 12. A bag as claimed in claim 1, comprising an internally disposed audio player docking device and speaker arrangement so that a user is able to connect an audio device to the audio player.
 13. A bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage and sleeping compartments are connectable and disconnectable from each other.
 14. A bag as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage and sleeping compartments are connectable and disconnectable from each other using at least one zip closure device. 